Govender, Ivan Gunass2017-05-082017-05-082016Govender, I.G. 2016. Imperatives for co-operative governance : a case study of local municipalities in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. Journal of Social Sciences. 49(1,2): 123-133.0971-8923http://hdl.handle.net/10321/2436Despite the South African government’s effort to enhance co-operative governance, the high rate of service delivery protests confirm that co-operative governance has not fully developed as a mechanism to improve service delivery. The aim of the study was to ascertain factors influencing co-operative governance and the perceptions of local government regarding the effectiveness of both the National and Provincial Governments’ support for co-operative governance. The study used the quantitative research method to investigate the needs and extent of co-operative governance in local municipalities with the KwaZulu-Natal province as a case study. The key issues municipalities consider important for improving intergovernmental relations (IGR) include communication and consultation, monitoring and evaluation (M&E), concurrent function clarity and technical support. The paper recommends the implementation of a participatory monitoring and evaluation (PME) system to enhance communications and alignment of the integrated development plans across the three spheres of government.11 penServiceDeliveryIntergovernmentalRelationsMonitoringEvaluationArticle10.31901/24566756.2016/49.1-2.16